Film/Television Review: The Outer Limits: Sandkings (1995)

(NOTE: Capsule version of the review is available here.)

George R. R. Martin is without a doubt the most famous author of speculative fiction in the world today. It is mostly thanks to A Song of Ice and Fire, epic cycle of fantasy novels that became 2010s television megahit Game of Thrones. However, few decades ago, Martin was still under shadow of Stephen King, more prolific author of the same genre that also happened to have its fame enhanced by having almost all of his work adapted to screen. Some of his stories and novels at the time, however, won awards and later got adapted, most notably novella Nightflyers that would become basis for 1987 film and 2018 television series. Another award-winning work was 1979 novelette Sandkings, very impressive mix of science fiction of horror genre. In 1995 it served as the basis for the television film, which was also first episode of The Outer Limits, revival of popular anthology television series.

Protagonist of the film, played by Beau Bridges, is Dr. Simon Kress, ambitious scientist who wants to win the Nobel Prize. His life work is research project involving Mars soil samples brought to top secret lab. The soil contains small ant-like creatures. After one incident, the project is shut down but Kress decides to smuggle the creatures out of lab and continue experiments in his shed. The creatures begin to grow and gradually show not only signs of intelligence but actually begin to worship Dr. Kress as their god. Kress becomes so devoted to his new worshippers that he begins to neglect his own family.

Since it was made as an episode of television anthology series, Sandkings had very limited budget. That forced scriptwriter Melinda Snodgrass to switch the setting from distant future into present day. The main character of Dr. Kress was transformed from ultra-decadent tycoon who bought “sandkings” as pets into mad scientist. He also got family, which was good excuse for audience to see three generations of Bridges family on screen – Beau Bridges had his father Lloyd playing Kress’ father while his son Dylan plays main character’s son Josh. This casting gimmick, however, won’t compensate for complete lack of inspiration in the script gives more emphasis to Kress’ family issues than strange creatures from the title. To make things even worse, special effects are underwhelming even for mid 1990s television standards. Director Stuart Gillard doesn’t help much, apparently at odds whether to make science fiction horror film or soap opera. For all those who have red Martin’s original work Sandkings is complete and utter disappointment, as well as warning that Game of Thrones in someone else’s hand could have turned out much worse.

RATING: 2/10 (-)

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